Display module

ABSTRACT

A display module includes a display panel on which a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area are defined and a functional layer disposed on the display panel. Here, the functional layer includes a color filter layer including a plurality of color filters and a plurality of first light shielding layers each disposed between the plurality of color filters, a light control layer including a plurality of light control parts overlapping the plurality of color filter layers, respectively, wherein at least one of the plurality of light control parts includes a quantum dot, and a heat conductive layer. The heat conductive layer includes at least one of metal, graphite, and silicon carbide.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0061376, filed onMay 24, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure herein relates to a display module, and moreparticularly, to a display module including a heat conductive layer.

A display device displays an image on a window by using light emittedfrom a display module. The emitted light may be light emitted from alight source. Alternatively, the emitted light may be light emitted insuch a manner that a wavelength of the light emitted from the lightsource is converted. The emitted light may have an intensity or a colormatching rate that is varied according to an internal environment of thedisplay module.

The display device may further include a light modifier in addition tothe display module. The light modifier may control the light emittedfrom the light source. In recent years, a display device including thelight modifier containing a quantum dot has been developed. Thewavelength of the light emitted from the light source may be varied bythe quantum dot.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display module capable of minimizingincrease in temperature inside a display panel.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides a display moduleincluding: a display panel on which a display area and a non-displayarea surrounding the display area are defined; and a functional layerdisposed on the display panel. Here, the functional layer includes: acolor filter layer including a plurality of color filters and aplurality of first light shielding layers each disposed between theplurality of color filters; a light control layer including a pluralityof light control parts overlapping the plurality of color filter layers,respectively, wherein at least one of the plurality of light controlparts includes a quantum dot; and a heat conductive layer overlappingthe plurality of first light shielding layers in a plan view andincluding at least one of metal, graphite, and silicon carbide.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may not overlap with centerportions of the plurality of color filters.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may not transmit incidentlight.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may include: a plurality ofheat conductive particles each including at least one of the metal, thegraphite, and the silicon carbide; and a body part in which theplurality of heat conductive particles are dispersed.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may directly contact theplurality of first light shielding layers.

In an embodiment, the display module may further include an auxiliaryheat conductive layer overlapping the heat conductive layer and disposedbetween the heat conductive layer and the display panel.

In an embodiment, the display module may further include a plurality ofwall portions disposed between the plurality of first light shieldinglayers and the heat conductive layer, and each of the plurality of wallportions may be disposed between two adjacent light control parts of theplurality of light control parts in a plan view.

In an embodiment, the functional layer may further include a pluralityof second light shielding layers disposed between the plurality of wallportions and the heat conductive layer.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may overlap the plurality ofcolor filters and the plurality of first light shielding layers in aplan view.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may transmit incident light.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may include a first heatconductive portion overlapping the display area and a second heatconductive portion overlapping the non-display area.

In an embodiment, the second heat conductive portion may extend from thefirst heat conductive portion.

In an embodiment, the second heat conductive portion may directlycontact the first heat conductive portion.

In an embodiment, the second heat conductive portion may be bent so thatat least one portion is disposed below the display panel.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may directly contact theplurality of light control parts.

In an embodiment, at least one portion of the heat conductive layer mayhave an uneven shape.

In an embodiment, the display module may further include a capping layeroverlapped with the heat conductive layer in a plan view.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, a display module includes: adisplay panel configured to emit light; and a functional layer disposedon the display panel. Here, the functional layer includes: a lightcontrol layer including a plurality of wall portions and a plurality oflight control parts disposed between the plurality of wall portions; anda heat conductive layer including at least one of metal, graphite, andsilicon carbide, being transparent, and overlapping the plurality ofwall portions and the plurality of light control parts.

In an embodiment, the display module may further include a color filterlayer including a plurality of color filters and a plurality of lightshielding layers each disposed between the plurality of color filters tooverlap the heat conductive layer in a plan view. Here, the heatconductive layer may be disposed between the light control layer and thecolor filter layer.

In an embodiment, the heat conductive layer may be disposed between thelight control layer and the display panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display devicein FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a display module according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of the displaymodule in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display moduleaccording to an embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display moduleaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification, it will also be understood that when onecomponent (or region, layer, portion) is referred to as being ‘on’,‘connected to’, or ‘coupled to’ another component, it can be directlydisposed/connected/coupled on/to the one component, or an interveningthird component may also be present.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, in thefigures, the thickness, ratio, and dimensions of components areexaggerated for clarity of illustration.

The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms such as ‘first’ and‘second’ are used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. The terms are only used todistinguish one component from other components. For example, a firstelement referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referredto as a second element in another embodiment without departing from thescope of the appended claims. The terms of a singular form may includeplural forms unless referred to the contrary.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as generally understood bythose skilled in the art. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionaryshould be construed as having the same meaning as in an associatedtechnical context, and unless defined apparently in the description, theterms are not ideally or excessively construed as having formal meaning.

The meaning of ‘include’ or ‘comprise’ specifies a property, a fixednumber, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combinationthereof, but does not exclude other properties, fixed numbers, steps,operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, a display module according to an embodiment of theinventive concept will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device DD accordingto an embodiment of the inventive concept. FIG. 2 is an explodedperspective view illustrating the display device DD in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3to 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating a display panel DP accordingto an embodiment of the inventive concept.

The display device DD may be activated according to an electricalsignal. The display device DD may include various embodiments. Forexample, the display device DD may be a tablet PC, a notebook computer,a personal computer, and a smart TV. In an embodiment of the inventiveconcept, the display device DD is exemplarily illustrated as atelevision.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display area DD-DA and a non-display area DD-NDAmay be included in the display device DD. The display area DD-DA may bean area on which an image IM is displayed. As an example of the imageIM, a butterfly is illustrated in FIG. 1. The non-display area DD-NDAmay be an area on which the image IM is not displayed. Pixels (notshown) may be disposed in the display area DD-DA, and the pixels (notshown) may not be disposed in the non-display area DD-NDA. The pixels(not shown) may represent effective pixels providing the image IM.

The display area DD-DA is parallel to a plane defined by a firstdirectional axis DR1 and a second directional axis DR2. A normaldirection of the display area DD-DA, i.e., a thickness direction of thedisplay device DD, indicates a third directional axis DR3. A frontsurface (or top surface) and a rear surface (or bottom surface) of eachof components is distinguished by the third directional axis DR3.However, directions indicated by the first to third directions DR1, DR2,and DR3 may be relative concepts and may be altered with respect to eachother. Hereinafter, first to third directions may be directionsindicated by the first to third directional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3, anddesignated by the same reference numerals, respectively.

The display device DD may be used for large-sized electronic devicessuch as televisions, monitors, or outdoor advertisement boards and smalland medium-sized electronic devices such as personal computers, notebookcomputers, personal digital terminals, navigation units for vehicles,game consoles, portable electronic devices, and cameras. Theabove-described devices are exemplified as merely an exemplaryembodiment, and thus, the display device may be adopted for otherelectronic devices unless departing from the spirit and scope of theinventive concept.

The display device DD may have a bezel area that is the non-display areaDD-NDA. The non-display area DD-NDA may be disposed adjacent to thedisplay area DD-DA. The non-display area DD-NDA may surround the displayarea DD-DA. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. For example, the display area DD-DA and the non-displayarea DD-NDA may be relatively designed in shape. In another embodimentof the inventive concept, the non-display area DD-NDA may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device DD may include a bottom coverBC, a display module DM, and a top cover TC. The bottom cover BC may bedisposed below the display module DM to protect the display device DDagainst external impacts or pollutants.

The top cover TC may be disposed on the display module DM. The top coverTC may protect the display panel DP or the like against external impactsor pollutants. An opening OP-TC of the top cover TC may expose a frontsurface of the display panel DP to define the display area DD-DA. Inanother embodiment of the inventive concept, the top cover TC may beomitted. In case of the display device DD without the top cover TC, thenon-display area DD-NDA may be defined by a sealing layer or a mold.

The display module DM may be disposed between the top cover TC and thebottom cover BC. The display module DM may include a display panel DPand a functional layer FNL. The display module DM according to anembodiment may further include a filling layer FL. However, theembodiment of the inventive concept is not limited to the constitutionof the display module DM described above.

The display panel DP may have a light emitting display panel. Forexample, the display panel DP may be a light-emitting diode (LED)display panel, an organic electroluminescence display panel, or aquantum dot (QD) light emitting display panel. However, the embodimentof the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The light-emitting diode (LED) display panel may include alight-emitting diode, a light emitting layer of the organicelectroluminescence display panel may include an organicelectroluminescence material, and a light emitting layer of the quantumdot light emitting display panel may include a quantum dot or a quantumrod. Hereinafter, in this specification, the display panel DP containedin the display device DD according to an embodiment will be described asthe organic electroluminescence display panel. However, the embodimentof the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel DP may include a base substrateBS, a circuit layer CL, and a light emitting element layer LD. In anembodiment, the base substrate BS, the circuit layer CL, and the lightemitting element layer LD may be sequentially laminated in the directionof the third directional axis DR3.

The base substrate BS may be a substrate providing a base surface onwhich the light emitting element layer LD is disposed. The basesubstrate BS may include glass, metal, or a synthetic resin. The basesubstrate BS may be rigid or flexible. According to an embodiment of theinventive concept, the base substrate BS may be rigid. However, theembodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the circuit layer CL may be disposed on the basesubstrate BS, and the circuit layer CL may include a plurality oftransistors (not shown) and at least one capacitor. Each of thetransistors (not shown) may include a control electrode, an inputelectrode, and an output electrode. For example, the circuit layer CLmay include a switching transistor and a driving transistor, which areprovided for driving the light emitting element layer LD.

A pixel defining layer PDL may be defined on the circuit layer CL. Thepixel defining layer PDL may include a polymer resin. For example, thepixel defining layer PDL may include a polyacrylate-based resin or apolyimide-based resin. Also, the pixel defining layer PDL may furtherinclude an inorganic material in addition to the polymer resin. Also,the pixel defining layer PDL may include a light absorption material orinclude a black pigment or black dye. Also, the pixel defining layer PDLmay include an inorganic material. For example, the pixel defining layerPDL may include a silicon nitride (SiNx), a silicon oxide (SiOx), or asilicon oxynitride (SiOxNy). The pixel defining layer PDL may definelight emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3. The light emitting areasPXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 and the non-light emitting area NPXA may bedistinguished by an existence of the pixel defining layer PDL.

The light emitting element layer LD may include a first electrode EL1and a second electrode EL2, which face each other, and a light emittinglayer EM disposed between the first electrode EL1 and the secondelectrode EL2.

The first electrode EL1 may be disposed on the circuit layer CL. Thefirst electrode EL1 may be electrically connected to a drivingtransistor (not shown) to receive a driving signal. The first electrodesEL1 may be spaced apart from each other between a plurality of pixeldefining layers PDL. The first electrode EL1 has conductivity. The firstelectrode EL1 may be made of a metal alloy or a conductive compound. Thefirst electrode EL1 may be an anode. In the light emitting element LDaccording to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 may be a reflectiveelectrode. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. For example, the first electrode EL1 may be atransmissive electrode or a transflective electrode.

The light emitting layer EM may be disposed on the first electrode. Thelight emitting layer EM may include a hole transport layer HTR, a lightemitting layer EML, and an electron transport layer ETR. For example,the hole transport layer HTR may include a hole injection layer and ahole transport layer, and each of the hole injection layer and the holetransport layer may be made of a well-known hole injection material anda well-known hole transport material.

The light emitting layer EML may be disposed on the hole transport layerHTR. The light emitting layer EML may have a single layer structure madeof a single material, a single layer structure made of a plurality ofmaterials, which are different from each other, or a multi-layeredstructure including a plurality of layers made of a plurality ofmaterials, which are different from each other.

The light emitting layer EML may emit first color light. That is, thedisplay panel DP may emit the first color light. For example, the lightemitting layer EML may be made of an organic material that emits bluelight. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, the light emitting layer EML may contain afluorescent material and a phosphorus material, which emit the firstcolor light.

The electron transport layer ETR is disposed on the light emitting layerEML. The electron transport layer ETR may include at least one of anelectron transport layer and an electron injection layer. However, theembodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

When the electron transport layer ETR includes the electron transportlayer and the electron injection layer, the electron injection layer andthe electron transport layer may be made of a well-known electroninjection material and a well-known electron transport material,respectively.

The second electrode EL2 may be disposed on the first electrode EL1 onthe light emitting layer EM. At least one light emitting layer EM may bedisposed between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2.The second electrode EL2 may be a common electrode or a cathode. Thesecond electrode EL2 may be made of a metal alloy or a conductivecompound. The second electrode EL2 may be a transmissive electrode, atransflective electrode, or a reflective electrode. When the secondelectrode EL2 is the transmissive electrode, the second electrode EL2may be made of a transparent metal oxide such as, e.g., an indium tinoxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), a zinc oxide (ZnO), or anindium tin zinc oxide (ITZO).

The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the secondelectrode EL2. The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may be directlydisposed on the second electrode EL2. The encapsulation layer TFE may bea single layer or a laminated plurality of layers. The thin-filmencapsulation layer TFE may include an organic layer and/or an inorganiclayer.

The display module DM according to an embodiment may further include afilling layer FL disposed on the display panel DP. That is, the fillinglayer FL may be disposed between the display panel DP and the functionallayer FNL. The display panel DP and the functional layer FNL may beseparately manufactured. The filling layer FL may fill a space betweenthe display panel DP and the functional layer FNL. Particularly, thefilling layer FL disposed on the display panel DP may provide one flatsurface. The functional layer FNL may be stably disposed on the one flatsurface of the filling layer FL.

The functional layer FNL may include a window WD, a color filter layerCFL, a light control layer WCL, and a heat conductive material TCL.

The window WD may be made of a material containing glass, sapphire, orplastic. The window WD may include a plurality of transmission areas,each of which allows light emitted from the light control layer WCL tobe transmitted, and a light shielding area which surrounds the pluralityof transmission areas and through which light is not transmitted.

The color filter layer CFL may be disposed below the window WD. Thecolor filter layer CFL may include a first color filter CF1, a secondcolor filter CF2, a third color filter CF3, and a plurality of firstlight shielding layers BM1 disposed between adjacent color filterlayers. The first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 may be spacedapart from each other. The plurality of first light shielding layers BM1may be disposed between the first to third color filters CF1, CF2, andCF3.

The first color filter CF1 may overlap a first light control part WCL1,the second color filter CF2 may overlap a second light control partWCL2, and the third color filter CF3 may overlap a third light controlpart WCL3. The first to third light control parts WCL1 to WCL3 will bedescribed later. The first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 mayselectively transmit wavelengths different from each other. For example,the first color filter CF1 may selectively transmit second color lightand absorb the rest, the second color filter CF2 may selectivelytransmit third color light and absorb the rest, and the third colorfilter CF3 may selectively transmit first color light and absorb therest.

That is, each of the first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 maytransmit color light corresponding to light emitted from the first tothird light control layers WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 and absorb the rest. Thefirst color filter CF1 may be a red color filter that transmits redlight, the second color filter CF2 may be a green color filter thattransmits green light, and the third color filter CF3 may be a bluecolor filter that transmits blue light.

Each of the first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 may includeat least one of a pigment or a dye dispersed in a resin. The first tothird color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 may include different kinds ofpigments and dyes. For example, the first color filter CF1 may containat least one of a red pigment or a red dye, the second color filter CF2may contain at least one of a green pigment or a green dye, and thethird color filter CF3 may contain at least one of a blue pigment or ablue dye, However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is notlimited thereto.

As the first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 are disposed onthe light control parts, only light in a targeted wavelength range maybe emitted from the color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3, and thus a colorreproduction rate of the display device DD may increase. Also, sincelight incident from the outside into the display module DM is absorbedby the color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 to reduce reflection of externallight, visibility of the display device DD may improve.

The plurality of first light shielding layers BM1 may be disposedbetween the first to third color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3. Theplurality of first light shielding layers BM1 may be disposed directlybelow the window WD. The plurality of first light shielding layers BM1may be black matrixes. The plurality of first light shielding layers BM1may be made of an organic light shielding material or an inorganic lightshielding material, which contains a black pigment or a black dye. Forexample, the plurality of first light shielding layers BM1 may includecarbon black particles. The plurality of first light shielding layersBM1 may prevent a light leakage phenomenon, and define a boundarybetween the adjacent plurality of color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3.

The plurality of first light shielding layers BM1 may overlap thenon-light emitting area NPXA on a plane. As the plurality of first lightshielding layers BM1 is provided, light emitted from the adjacent pixelareas may be prevented from being mixed. In an embodiment, thefunctional layer FNL may further include a plurality of second lightshielding layers BM2. The plurality of second light shielding layers BM2will be described later. The plurality of first light shielding layersBM1 and the plurality of second light shielding layers BM2 may beconnected to one another to form a first light shielding layer BM1 and asecond light shielding layer BM2 which include a plurality of openingsthat correspond to the light emitting areas PXA1, PXA2 and PXA3.

The display module DM may include a non-light emitting area NPXA andlight emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3. Each of the light emittingareas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may be an area through which light generatedfrom the light emitting element layer LD is emitted. The light emittingareas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may have areas different from each other.Here, the area may represent an area when viewed on the plane.

The light emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may include a plurality oflight emitting groups according to a color of light emitted therefrom.In the display module DM according to an embodiment in FIG. 3, the threelight emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 which emit red light, greenlight, and blue light, respectively, are exemplarily illustrated. Forexample, the display device DD according to an embodiment may includethe red light emitting area PXA1, the green light emitting area PXA2,and the blue light emitting area PXA3.

In the display module DM according to an embodiment in FIG. 3, thedisplay panel DP is illustrated to include the light emitting elementlayer LD including the light emitting layer EML as a common layer. Thatis, in an embodiment of FIG. 3, the display panel DP may emit light inthe same wavelength range regardless of the light emitting areas PXA1,PXA2, and PXA3 of the display module DM. For example, the display panelDP may provide the blue light, which is the first color light, to thelight control layer WCL.

In the display module DM according to an embodiment in FIG. 3, the lightemitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may have different areas accordingto colors emitted from the plurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2,and WCL3. For example, in the display module DM according to anembodiment, the red light emitting area PXA1, which corresponds to thefirst light control part WCL1 transmitting red light, may have agreatest area, and the green light emitting area PXA2, which correspondsto the second light control part WCL2 generating and emitting greenlight, may have a smallest area. However, the embodiment of theinventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the lightemitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may emit light having differentcolors other than the red light, the green light, and the blue light.

The light emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, and PXA3 may be separated by thepixel defining layer PDL. The non-light emitting areas NPXA may bedisposed between the neighboring light emitting areas PXA1, PXA2, andPXA3 and correspond to the pixel defining layer PDL.

The light control layer WCL may be disposed between the color filterlayer CFL and the light emitting element layer LD. The light controllayer WCL may absorb light emitted from the light emitting element layerLD and alter wavelengths of absorbed light to have a specific wavelengthrange that is different from that of the absorbed light or transmitlight emitted from the light emitting element layer LD withoutalteration. The base substrate BS may serve as a support substrate thatsupports the light control layer WCL. The base substrate BS may includea glass substrate or a plastic substrate.

The light control layer WCL according to an embodiment may include thefirst to third light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3. The first lightcontrol part WCL1 may include a quantum dot converting the first colorlight into the second color light. The second light control part WCL2may include a quantum dot converting the first color light into thethird color light. The third light control part WCL3 may not include aquantum dot. The third light control part WCL3 may transmit the firstcolor light. The second color light may have a wavelength range greaterthan that of each of the first color light and the third color light.The third color light may have a wavelength range greater than that ofthe first color light. For example, the first color light may be bluelight, the second color light may be red light, and the third colorlight may be green light. Also, the first color light may be providedfrom the display panel DP to the light control layer WCL.

The quantum dot is a particle converting a wavelength of light providedfrom the display panel DP. The quantum dot may be selected from thegroup consisting of Group II-VI compound, Group III-V compound, GroupIV-VI compound, Group IV element, Group IV compound, and a combinationthereof.

The Group II-VI compound may be selected from the group consisting of: abinary compound selected from the group consisting of CdSe, CdTe, ZnS,ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, MgSe, MgS, and a combination thereof;a ternary compound selected from the group consisting of CdSeS, CdSeTe,CdSTe, ZnSeS, ZnSeTe, ZnSTe, HgSeS, HgSeTe, HgSTe, CdZnS, CdZnSe,CdZnTe, CdHgS, CdHgSe, CdHgTe, HgZnS, HgZnSe, HgZnTe, MgZnSe, MgZnS, anda combination thereof; and a quaternary compound selected from the groupconsisting of HgZnTeS, CdZnSeS, CdZnSeTe, CdZnSTe, CdHgSeS, CdHgSeTe,CdHgSTe, HgZnSeS, HgZnSeTe, HgZnSTe, and a combination thereof.

The III-V compound may be selected from the group consisting of: abinary compound selected from the group consisting of GaN, GaP, GaAs,GaSb, AN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, InN, InP, InAs, InSb, and a combinationthereof; a ternary compound selected from the group consisting of GaNP,GaNAs, GaNSb, GaPAs, GaPSb, AlNP, AlNAs, AlNSb, AlPAs, AlPSb, InNP,InNAs, InNSb, InPAs, InPSb, GaAlNP, and a combination thereof; and aquaternary compound selected from the group consisting of GaAlNAs,GaAlNSb, GaAlPAs, GaAlPSb, GaInNP, GaInNAs, GaInNSb, GaInPAs, GaInPSb,InAlNP, InAlNAs, InAlNSb, InAlPAs, InAlPSb, and a combination thereof.

The IV-VI compound may be selected from the group consisting of: abinary compound selected from the group consisting of SnS, SnSe, SnTe,PbS, PbSe, PbTe, and a combination thereof; a ternary compound selectedfrom the group consisting of SnSeS, SnSeTe, SnSTe, PbSeS, PbSeTe, PbSTe,SnPbS, SnPbSe, SnPbTe, and a combination thereof; and a quaternarycompound selected from the group consisting of SnPbSSe, SnPbSeTe,SnPbSTe, and a combination thereof. The Group IV compound may beselected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, and a combination thereof.The Group IV compound may be a binary compound selected from the groupconsisting of SiC, SiGe, and a combination thereof.

Here, the binary compound, the ternary compound, and the quaternarycompound may exist in a particle with a uniform concentration or existin a particle with a non-uniform concentration.

The quantum dot may have a core-shell structure including a core and ashell surrounding the core. Alternatively, the quantum dot may have acore-shell structure in which one quantum dot surrounds another quantumdot. An interface between the core and the shell may have aconcentration gradient in which a concentration of an element existingin the shell gradually decreases in a direction toward a center thereof.

In some embodiments, the quantum dot may have a core-shell structureincluding a core having a nanocrystal and a shell surrounding the core.The shell of the quantum dot may serve as a protection layer forpreventing the core from being chemically denaturalized to maintainsemiconductor characteristics and/or a charging layer for applyingelectrophoretic characteristics to the quantum dot. The shell may be asingle layer or multi-layers. An interface between the core and theshell may have a concentration gradient in which a concentration of anelement existing in the shell gradually decreases in a direction towarda center of the core. The shell of the quantum dot may include, e.g., ametallic or nonmetallic oxide, a semiconductor compound, or acombination thereof.

For example, the metallic or nonmetallic oxide used in the shell mayinclude a binary compound such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZnO, MnO, Mn₂O₃,Mn₃O₄, CuO, FeO, Fe₂O₃, Fe₃O₄, CoO, Co₃O₄, NiO or a ternary compoundsuch as MgAl₂O₄, CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, CoMn₂O₄. However, the embodiment ofthe inventive concept is not limited thereto.

Also, the semiconductor compound may include CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe,ZnTe, ZnSeS, ZnTeS, GaAs, GaP, GaSb, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, InAs, InP, InGaP,InSb, AlAs, AlP, AlSb. However, the embodiment of the inventive conceptis not limited thereto.

The quantum dot may have a full width of half maximum (FWHM) of a lightemitting wavelength spectrum, which is equal to or less than about 45nm, desirably equal to or less than about 40 nm, more desirably equal toor less than about 30 nm, and, in this range, a color purity or a colorreproduction property may be improved. Also, since light emitted throughthe above-described quantum dot is emitted in all directions, a viewingangle may be improved.

Also, although the quantum dot has a shape that is generally used in theart, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limited thereto.More particularly, the quantum dot may have a shape such as a globularshape, a pyramid shape, a multi-arm shape, or a shape of anano-particle, a nano-tube, a nano-wire, a nano-fiber, or a nano-plateshaped particle of a cubic.

The quantum dot may adjust a color of emitted light according to aparticle size. Thus, the quantum dot may have various light emittingcolors such as blue, red, or green. As the particle size decreases, thequantum dot may emit light in a short wavelength range. For example, theparticle size of the quantum dot emitting green light may be less thanthat of the quantum dot emitting red light.

The light control layer WCL may include a heat conductive layer TCL.Referring to FIG. 3, the heat conductive layer TCL may overlap theplurality of first light shielding layers BM1 in a plan view. In anembodiment, the heat conductive layer TCL may directly contact theplurality of first light shielding layers BM1. The heat conductive layerTCL may not overlap center portions of the first color filter CF1, thesecond color filter CF2 and the third color filterCF3.

The heat conductive layer TCL may include at least one of metal,graphite, and silicon carbide. That is, the heat conductive layer TCLmay be a material having a high thermal conductivity. The heatconductive layer TCL may dissipate heat inside the display module DM tothe outside of the display module DM.

The heat conductive layer TCL according to an embodiment may nottransmit incident light from outside of the display module DM. Forexample, the heat conductive layer TCL may absorb the incident lightfrom outside of the display module DM. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theheat conductive layer TCL disposed between the plurality of lightcontrol parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 may absorb light emitted from theplurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3. That is, thelight emitted from the plurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2, andWCL3 may be prevented from being mixed with each other. As the heatconductive layer TCL absorbs light emitted from the plurality of lightcontrol parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3, a color mixture of light in thewindow WD may be prevented.

The heat conductive layer TCL and the plurality of light control partsWCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 may be disposed close to each other to quicklydissipate heat generated from the plurality of light control parts WCL1,WCL2, and WCL3

The display module DM according to an embodiment may further include aplurality of capping layers CP1 and CP2. The plurality of capping layersCP1 and CP2 are disposed to cover the plurality of light control partsWCL1, WCL2, and WCL3. The plurality of capping layers CP1 and CP2 mayprevent moisture and/or oxygen (hereinafter, referred to as‘moisture/oxygen’) from being permeated into the plurality of lightcontrol parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3. The plurality of capping layers CP1and CP2 may be disposed to completely surround the plurality of lightcontrol parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 to prevent the plurality of lightcontrol parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 from being exposed to themoisture/oxygen. The plurality of capping layers CP1 and CP2 may bedisposed adjacent to the heat conductive layer TCL to prevent the heatconductive layer TCL from being exposed to the moisture/oxygen throughthe display panel DP.

Each of the plurality of capping layers CP1 and CP2 may include aninorganic material. For example, the plurality of capping layers CP1 andCP2 may include a silicon nitride, an aluminum nitride, a zirconiumnitride, a titanium nitride, a hafnium nitride, a tantalum nitride, asilicon oxide, an aluminum oxide, a titanium oxide, a tin oxide, acerium oxide, a silicon oxynitride, or a metal thin-film securing alight transmittance. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept isnot limited thereto. For example, the plurality of capping layers CP1and CP2 may include an organic material. Also, regardless ofillustration in the drawings, the capping layers may be partiallyomitted or further added.

When the heat conductive layer TCL according to an embodiment is metal,the capping layers CP1 and CP2 may prevent static electricity generatedfrom the heat conductive layer TCL.

Referring to FIG. 4, a heat conductive layer TCL-1 according to anembodiment may include a body part BD and a plurality of heat conductiveparticles TCL-P. Each of the plurality of heat conductive particlesTCL-P may include at least one of the metal, the graphite, and thesilicon carbide. The body part BD may be a base that accommodates theplurality of heat conductive particles TCL-P. Other than the heatconductive layer TCL-1, the descriptions in FIG. 3 may be applied in thesame manner.

Referring to FIG. 5, a heat conductive layer TCL-2 according to anembodiment may include a main heat conductive layer TCL-F1 and anauxiliary heat conductive layer TCL-F2. The auxiliary heat conductivelayer TCL-F2 may overlap the main heat conductive layer TCL-F1 with acapping layer CP1 disposed between the main heat conductive layer TCL-F1and an auxiliary heat conductive layer TCL-F2. Also, the auxiliary heatconductive layer TCL-F2 may be disposed between the main heat conductivelayer TCL-F1 and the display panel DP. As a height of each of aplurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 increases, thenumber of heat conductive layers laminated may also increase. Althoughthe auxiliary heat conductive layer TCL-F2 is illustrated as one layerin FIG. 5, the embodiment of the inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, a plurality of layers of the auxiliary heatconductive layer TCL-F2 may be laminated. Thus, although the height ofeach of the plurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3increases, a color mixture may be prevented. Other than the heatconductive layer TCL-F2, the descriptions in FIG. 3 may be applied inthe same manner.

Referring to FIG. 6, a light control layer WCL-1 according to anembodiment may further include a plurality of wall portions BK. Theplurality of wall portions BK may be disposed between a plurality offirst light shielding layers BM1 and a heat conductive layer TCL-3. Eachof the plurality of wall portions BK 1 may be disposed between twoadjacent light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 of a plurality oflight control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3. Other than plurality of wallportions BK, the descriptions in FIG. 3 may be applied in the samemanner.

Referring to FIG. 7, a color filter layer CFL-1 according to anembodiment may further include a plurality of second light shieldinglayers BM2. The plurality of second light shielding layers BM2 may bedisposed between a plurality of wall portions BK and a heat conductivelayer TCL-4. The heat conductive layer TCL-4 may be disposed to cover alower end of each of the plurality of second light shielding layers BM2.As the color filter layer CFL-1 further includes the plurality of secondlight shielding layers BM2, a color mixture of light emitted from aplurality of light control parts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 may be prevented.Other than the color filter layer CFL-1, the descriptions in FIG. 3 maybe applied in the same manner.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a display module DM-5 according to anembodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofthe display module DM in FIG. 8.

A heat conductive layer TCL-5 according to an embodiment may include afirst heat conductive portion TCL-PT1 and a second heat conductiveportion TCL-PT2. The first heat conductive portion TCL-PT1 may overlapthe display area DA (refer to FIG. 2) of the display panel DP. Thesecond heat conductive portion TCL-PT2 may overlap the non-display areaNDA (refer to FIG. 2) of the display panel DP.

In the display module DM-5 according to an embodiment, the second heatconductive portion TCL-PT2 may extend from the first heat conductiveportion TCL-PT1. However, the embodiment of the inventive concept is notlimited thereto. The first heat conductive portion TCL-PT1 and thesecond heat conductive portion TCL-PT2 may be separately manufacturedand then contact each other. That is, the second heat conductive portionTCL-PT2 may be physically directly connected to the first heatconductive portion TCL-PT1.

The second heat conductive portion TCL-PT2 may receive heat inside thedisplay module DM-5 through the first heat conductive portion TCL-PT1.The second heat conductive portion TCL-PT2 may quickly dissipate thereceived heat to the outside of the display module DM-5.

The second heat conductive portion TCL-PT2 according to an embodimentmay include a first sub-area SB1 and a second sub-area SB2. The firstsub-area SB1 may be the second heat conductive portion TCL-PT2surrounding the display area DA (refer to FIG. 2). The second sub-areaSB2 may have a shape protruding from the first sub-area SB1. As thedisplay module DM-5 further includes the second sub-area SB2, the heatconductive layer TCL-5 may increase in cross-sectional area. The secondsub-area SB2 may be bent so that at least one portion is disposed belowthe display panel DP.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a printed circuit board PCB maybe disposed below the second sub-area SB2. The printed circuit board PCBmay be electrically connected to the display panel DP. On the printedcircuit board PCB, a chip on film COF including a source drive IC (IC)may be disposed. Other than the second heat conductive portion TCL-PT2,the descriptions in FIG. 3 may be applied in the same manner.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating a display moduleDM-6, DM-7, and DM-8 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, a heat conductive layer TCL-6 according to anembodiment may overlap a plurality of color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3and a plurality of first light shielding layers BM1. That is, the heatconductive layer TCL-6 may be disposed on the plurality of color filtersCF1, CF2, and CF3 and the plurality of first light shielding layers BM1to completely cover the plurality of color filters CF1, CF2, and CF3 andthe plurality of first light shielding layers BM1 in a plan view. Theheat conductive layer TCL-6 according to an embodiment may transmitincident light. For example, the heat conductive layer TCL-6 maytransmit light emitted from a plurality of light control parts WCL1,WCL2, and WCL3 to a window WD.

The heat conductive layer TCL-6 according to an embodiment may bedisposed between a color filter layer CFL and a light control layer WCL.As the heat conductive layer TCL-6 is deposited on the front surface,the heat conductive layer TCL-6 may increase in cross-sectional area.Thus, a heat dissipation efficiency of the heat conductive layer TCL-6may increase. Other than the heat conductive layer TCL-6 and theplurality of wall portions BK disposed between the heat conductive layerTCL-6 and the display panel DP between adjacent light control parts, thedescriptions in FIG. 3 may be applied in the same manner.

Referring to FIG. 11, a heat conductive layer TCL-7 according to anembodiment may be disposed below a light control layer WCL. As the heatconductive layer TCL-7 is disposed adjacent to the display panel DP, theheat conductive layer TCL-7 may receive heat generated from the lightemitting element layer LD. That is, the heat conductive layer TCL-7 maydissipate the heat generated from the light emitting element layer LDmore efficiently. A color filter layer CFL-2 according to an embodimentmay further include a plurality of second light shielding layers BM2.The plurality of second light shielding layers BM2 may be disposed belowthe heat conductive layer TCL-7. As the color filter layer CFL-2 furtherincludes the plurality of second light shielding layers BM2, a colormixture of light emitting from a plurality of light control parts WCL1,WCL2, and WCL3 may be prevented. Other than the heat conductive layerTCL-7, the plurality of second light shielding layers BM2 and theplurality of wall portions BK disposed between the heat conductive layerTCL-7 and the plurality of first light shielding layers BM1 betweenadjacent light control parts, the descriptions in FIG. 3 may be appliedin the same manner.

Referring to FIG. 12, a color filter layer CFL-3 according to anembodiment may further include a plurality of second light shieldinglayers BM2. The plurality of second light shielding layers BM2 may becovered by a heat conductive layer TCL-8. As the color filter layerCFL-3 further includes the plurality of second light shielding layersBM2, a color mixture of light emitted from a plurality of light controlparts WCL1, WCL2, and WCL3 may be prevented. Other than a location ofthe second light shielding layers BM2, the descriptions in FIG. 11 maybe applied in the same manner.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display module DM-9according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, at least a portion of a heat conductive layerTCL-9 according to an embodiment may have an uneven surface PN. The heatconductive layer TCL-9 may increase in cross-sectional area by theuneven surface PN. That is, a heat dissipation efficiency of the heatconductive layer TCL-9 may further increase. This may be applied to theabove-described embodiments.

The display module according to the embodiment of the inventive conceptmay minimize the increase in temperature inside the display module.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept havebeen described, it is understood that the present inventive conceptshould not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changesand modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art withinthe spirit and scope of the present inventive concept as hereinafterclaimed.

Hence, the real protective scope of the present inventive concept shallbe determined by the technical scope of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display module comprising: a display panel onwhich a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display areaare defined; and a functional layer disposed on the display panel,wherein the functional layer comprises: a color filter layer comprisinga plurality of color filters and a plurality of first light shieldinglayers each disposed between the plurality of color filters; a lightcontrol layer comprising a plurality of light control parts overlappingthe plurality of color filter layers, respectively, wherein at least oneof the plurality of light control parts comprises a quantum dot; and aheat conductive layer overlapping the plurality of first light shieldinglayers in a plan view and comprising at least one of metal, graphite,and silicon carbide.
 2. The display module of claim 1, wherein the heatconductive layer does not overlap with center portions of the pluralityof color filters.
 3. The display module of claim 2, wherein the heatconductive layer does not transmit incident light.
 4. The display moduleof claim 2, wherein the heat conductive layer comprises: a plurality ofheat conductive particles each comprising at least one of the metal, thegraphite, and the silicon carbide; and a body part in which theplurality of heat conductive particles are dispersed.
 5. The displaymodule of claim 2, wherein the heat conductive layer directly contactsthe plurality of first light shielding layers.
 6. The display module ofclaim 2, further comprising an auxiliary heat conductive layeroverlapping the heat conductive layer and disposed between the heatconductive layer and the display panel.
 7. The display module of claim2, further comprising a plurality of wall portions disposed between theplurality of first light shielding layers and the heat conductive layer,and each of the plurality of wall portions is disposed between adjacentlight control parts of the plurality of light control parts in a planview.
 8. The display module of claim 7, wherein the functional layerfurther comprises a plurality of second light shielding layers disposedbetween the plurality of wall portions and the heat conductive layer. 9.The display module of claim 1, wherein the heat conductive layeroverlaps the plurality of color filters and the plurality of first lightshielding layers in a plan view.
 10. The display module of claim 9,wherein the heat conductive layer transmits incident light.
 11. Thedisplay module of claim 1, wherein the heat conductive layer comprises afirst heat conductive portion overlapping the display area and a secondheat conductive portion overlapping the non-display area.
 12. Thedisplay module of claim 11, wherein the second heat conductive portionextends from the first heat conductive portion.
 13. The display moduleof claim 11, wherein the second heat conductive portion directlycontacts the first heat conductive portion.
 14. The display module ofclaim 11, wherein the second heat conductive portion is bent so that atleast one portion is disposed below the display panel.
 15. The displaymodule of claim 1, wherein the heat conductive layer directly contactsthe plurality of light control parts.
 16. The display module of claim 1,wherein at least one portion of the heat conductive layer has an unevenshape.
 17. The display module of claim 1, further comprising a cappinglayer overlapped with the heat conductive layer in a plan view.
 18. Adisplay module comprising: a display panel configured to emit light; anda functional layer disposed on the display panel, wherein the functionallayer comprises: a light control layer comprising a plurality of wallportions and a plurality of light control parts each disposed betweenthe plurality of wall portions; and a heat conductive layer comprisingat least one of metal, graphite, and silicon carbide, being transparent,and overlapping the plurality of wall portions and the plurality oflight control parts.
 19. The display module of claim 18, furthercomprising a color filter layer comprising a plurality of color filtersand a plurality of light shielding layers each disposed between theplurality of color filters to overlap the heat conductive layer in aplan view, wherein the heat conductive layer is disposed between thelight control layer and the color filter layer.
 20. The display moduleof claim 18, wherein the heat conductive layer is disposed between thelight control layer and the display panel.